Berlin Fashion Week 2026
Issue Q1 – 2026
Fashion by designers Danny Reinke, Marcel Ostertag, and Panos Gotsis
Backstage, runway, and a new culture of experience
As part of Berlin Fashion Week, our three-person media team was on site for three days to cover the shows, personalities, and the unique atmosphere of this fashion week from a journalistic perspective.
Our opening began with “Behind the Scenes.” Here, we were able to gain exclusive backstage insights and conduct our first interviews with designer Danny Reinke.
Right behind the scenes, we accompanied stylists and makeup artists during the hair and makeup process, watched them at work, and gathered authentic impressions from the creative preparation phase of a Fashion Week show.
At the same time, several content formats were taking place. Particularly present was a team of various hairstylists in cooperation with Goldwell, working on site and implementing current styling techniques and trends.
What stood out particularly positively—and clearly differs from the international Fashion Week context—was the area in front of the show. Here, various sponsors presented themselves in an exhibition space, accompanied by a party atmosphere that was used both before and after the show. This area offered space for exchange, networking, and a shared experience beyond the classic runway.
Beauty meets fashion
Among the sponsors was Pantene Pro-V. Stylist Vanessa from Pantene Pro-V described her experience in the interview in a very personal way:
„For me, this is a dream come true. I have always wanted to work at Berlin Fashion Week and am very happy to be able to present our new heat protection product here.”
The focus was on the new product Moisture Boost Heat & Glow Leave-in Cream by Pantene Pro-V, which was presented as a nourishing heat protection for styled looks.
Afterwards, the show by Kilian Kerner continued, which was also realized in close cooperation with the location and the sponsors. The staging was divided into three parts and told a cohesive story across multiple acts.
Actor Wilson Gonzalez Ochsenknecht expressed his enthusiasm in the interview:
“I’m wearing Kilian Kerner from head to toe. This is already my eighth or ninth show—and it’s always exciting because you never know what’s coming next. (…) Berlin Fashion Week definitely builds up days in advance, and you can feel a new atmosphere in the city.”
GANGSTAAA Collection
Kerner presented his new collection “GANGSTAAA” – A GAME OF YOUR OWN RULES that evening, which combined two seemingly opposing worlds. Street-style elements inspired by rap culture and urban aesthetics met a modern interpretation of old Hollywood glamour. The looks appeared provocative yet playful, without slipping into dark stereotypes.
Kerner drew on influences from music and urban subculture to place themes such as individuality and self-empowerment at the center. The collection portrayed a character who breaks with societal expectations, sets their own standards, and expresses attitude through presence and style. “GANGSTAAA” thus became a narrative about identity, solidarity, and the courage to consistently follow one’s own path.
The walk was opened by GNTM winner 2025 Daniela Djokic. She described her appearance in the subsequent interview as follows:
“My look was definitely my favorite. The dress was simply wow.”
The inspiration for the collection came, among other things, from the new film “Wuthering Heights,” which will be released in German cinemas just in time for Valentine’s Day on February 14, 2026.
Day two and three of Berlin Fashion Week showed how differently fashion can be told. Both days were less about classic runway moments and more about encounters with people, moods, and concepts. That is exactly what makes Berlin so exciting: here, fashion often feels more personal and closer to the audience.
Day two: Marcel Ostertag at The Westin Grand Berlin
The second day took us to The Westin Grand Berlin, where Marcel Ostertag presented his new collection in a special setting. Marcel Ostertag has been an integral part of Berlin Fashion Week for many years, but this time he deliberately chose not to follow the classic runway format. Instead, a fashion experience was created that felt more like an evening among friends, combined with a presentation, a pop-up, and a stylish cocktail atmosphere.
At the center was the collection “The Blue.” The inspiration for it came from a moment Marcel Ostertag experienced on vacation: a sunset that left such a strong visual impression on him that it became the foundation for the entire concept of the collection. The aesthetic was not just a color theme, but ran consistently through the entire styling, the materials, and the designs.
It is also important to note that the typical silhouettes Marcel Ostertag is known for remain true to his signature style. His signature is clearly shaped by the 1970s and 1980s—decades that stand for confidence, glamour, and strong forms.
This aesthetic can be recognized in every collection, and it was also clearly noticeable in “The Blue.”
The realization of the sunset as a print concept was particularly exciting. It was not just a single fabric, but rather a continuous concept that ran through the collection in different variations. Different moments of a sunset were depicted: sometimes in a deep blue, sometimes more reddish, warmer, and more intense. It was precisely these changing moods that made the looks so vibrant and ensured that the collection felt diverse despite its clear direction.
Marcel Ostertag designs fashion that is not intended for a specific age group, but for people who want to dress well regardless of trends.
“My youngest customer is 14, my oldest is 88.”
The evening was accompanied by music from the 1970s and 1980s and a relaxed atmosphere that perfectly matched his signature style. A special highlight was also the preview of the next chapter: starting in October, Marcel Ostertag will present his show at Paris Fashion Week.
Day three: Panos Gotsis RAUM
On the third day, our focus was on the fashion presentation by Panos Gotsis with his collection “WE.” Even though the idea of a collection originates from one person, it takes many helping hands to bring it to life, as Panos Gotsis says in the interview.
The collection was not only presented on classic mannequins, but the models also moved through the space, showcasing the looks on their bodies. This allowed materials, cuts, and details to be observed not only up close, but also in motion.
The presentation at RAUM was accompanied by music and a voice in the background explaining the collection. In addition, a video about the production process was shown on the wall. Through these different elements, all the senses were engaged.
Many of his fabrics come from Greece, from Epirus, where Panos Gotsis has his roots. There, the fabrics were produced using traditional wooden looms in a textile school. Through this collection, he builds a connection to his heritage, his craft, the people, and his personal journey so far. He himself was actively involved throughout the entire presentation, demonstrating how personal this collection is to him.
In the interview, Panos Gotsis tells us more about his background and the story behind the collection. Particularly interesting: his path into fashion is not a traditional one, as Panos Gotsis is a doctor. He practiced in Berlin hospitals for over 16 years.
This makes it all the more evident that his heart beats not only for people, but also for creativity and design.
“I felt a very strong need to give space to the second heart that beats within my chest,” – Panos Gotsis.
This personal depth is evident in his work. “The vision and the dream are what matter. You must not lose yourself in the dream—you have to take action,” he advises, especially for people who are in a phase of career transition.
Further insights into international fashion events, designer interviews, and unique luxury stagings can be found in our other articles.
